Berkeley CA vs Peoria AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Peoria
5.8%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 42.1 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 7.4% | 3.4% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 5.8% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Peoria
$93,403
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Peoria
$45,831
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $93,403 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $45,831 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 35.5% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Peoria
$488,428
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $488,428 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Peoria
450
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Peoria
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Peoria
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Peoria
10.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 29.5% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.3% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 10.6% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Peoria
31.2 min
Peoria +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 31.2 min | Peoria + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $488,428. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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